Experience a “Pop” of Indian Flavor at Masala Pop!

Indian-spiced popcorn? Absolutely! At the Portland Indian Bridal Showcase, I had the pleasure of meeting Neha Patel, the founder of Masala Pop. Neha grew up enjoying her mother’s savory, spice-laden popcorn—flavored in the traditional style of her family’s roots in India. Inspired by those childhood memories, she began experimenting with her own spice blends, slowly shaping them into a truly distinctive snack with a bold, flavorful kick.

After spending 15 years working as a sustainability professional, Neha eventually chose to follow her passion and step into the world of specialty foods. What began as a personal “hobby” soon transformed into a growing business, complete with a retail presence and a production space. Today, Masala Pop supplies farmers’ markets, co-ops, movie theaters, and specialty grocery stores. The enthusiastic response from customers continues to fuel her creativity, inspiring her to develop new and exciting flavors.

With offerings like Chai Masala with Oregon Hazelnuts and Savory Masala with Papadams, Masala Pop delivers hand-blended creations that feel both nostalgic and inventive. I recently spoke with Neha (after being tempted by the limited-edition Saffron Rose with Pistachios—truly irresistible!) to learn more about her journey and inspirations.

What was the inspiration for Masala Pop?
The idea for Masala Pop was born at home, rooted in my mother’s cooking. Growing up, she would season popcorn in a way that reminded me of the traditional street-style “popcorn wallahs” from her hometown in India. Later on, I started experimenting with her recipe and adding my own twist. Friends and family quickly began requesting it, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback made me realize there was something special here—enough to turn it into a business.

How did you select your flavors? Are any inspired by specific regions of India?
My mother’s original Savory Masala is based on spice blends commonly used in Gujarat, where my family comes from. Her cooking style has strongly influenced my approach, and I love drawing from iconic Indian ingredients like garam masala, tamarind, chai spices, and papadums (lentil-based crisps). I enjoy translating flavors from beloved Indian dishes into popcorn form. The possibilities feel endless. One of our newest creations, Saffron Rose, is inspired by flavors often found in Indian sweets, and we’re currently experimenting with Mint Chutney as well.

I understand you’ll soon be on the shelves of New Seasons?
Yes, we’ll be launching in most stores at the beginning of April. Many loyal customers have been asking for us to appear in local shops, so it’s exciting to finally make that happen. We’re especially thrilled about reaching the broader Portland metro area and plan to host in-store demos to connect with new customers.

What has been the biggest surprise during the launch and expansion of Masala Pop?
The most surprising challenge has been balancing high-quality ingredients with keeping the product affordable. We are committed to using real, natural ingredients and sustainable packaging that preserves freshness, but we also want to remain accessible to everyday consumers. It has given me a deeper appreciation for the complexity behind that balance.

Beyond being a delicious, organic, gluten-free, non-GMO snack, what else drives its success?
I think its uniqueness plays a huge role—people have simply never tasted anything quite like it before. In addition, our team is deeply involved in every step, from packaging design and sourcing local ingredients to refining recipes. That attention to detail in small-batch production really comes through in every bite.